The Browns stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers last month when a snowstorm greatly affected the scene in Cleveland.
When the teams reconvene 17 days later, the elements will be more conducive to playing football as the Browns visit the Steelers in an AFC North battle on Sunday.
The Browns upset Pittsburgh in the snowy conditions, wasting a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter to trail 19-18 before scoring in the final minute for the 24-19 victory.
However, the odds aren’t good for a Cleveland sweep as the Browns have dropped 20 consecutive regular-season road games in Pittsburgh.
Cleveland did register a victory in Pittsburgh in an AFC wild-card playoff game following the 2020 season. However, the Browns’ last regular-season triumph there came on Oct. 5, 2003, when Tim Couch (Browns) and Tommy Maddox (Steelers) were the starting quarterbacks and Cleveland prevailed 33-13.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is not concerned about the long drought.
“We look forward to the challenge,” Stefanski said. “That’s the fun part of this business — going on the road and trying to get a win.”
Cleveland (3-9) is far removed from the AFC playoff picture, while Pittsburgh (9-3) leads the North by 1/12 games over the Baltimore Ravens.
The stumble in the snow was the Steelers’ lone loss in the past seven games. Pittsburgh bounced back with a 44-38 shootout win over the host Cincinnati Bengals last week.
The Steelers totaled 520 yards in the wild contest, but the guy enjoying it the least was Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin.
The defensive-minded coach didn’t like seeing his squad involved in a game in which 82 points were scored.
“I don’t know that I’m ever comfortable planning to shoot out,” Tomlin said. “It’s just my background and my expertise. To be quite honest with you, I respect offenses and talented players, and I acknowledge when we’re faced with stiff challenges, but it doesn’t mean that I’ll ever be comfortable in those circumstances.
“I have certain expectations because of my professional journey on defense, that I expect us to slow those things down and minimize some of that and the rare instances that we don’t, I’m thankful that we have an offense that’s capable of matching it.”
Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson threw for three touchdowns and had a season-best 414 passing yards against Cincinnati.
“It gives us a lot of momentum and everything else, but we have to use it for good,” Wilson said of the offensive splurge. “We have to be able to respond.”
Cleveland has been playing better on offense with James Winston at quarterback instead of injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles).
The Browns have scored 24 or more points in three of Winston’s five games as starter. The highest output with Watson was 18.
Winston established a franchise record with 497 passing yards on Monday in a 41-32 road loss against the Denver Broncos. He passed for four touchdowns but also threw three interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns.
“It’s about executing when your team needs you the most,” Winston said. “I take pride in that and I’m going to keep working, I’m going to fix it. I will apologize to the guys, but I’m still good.
“Nothing’s going to change from a mental perspective, but the physical perspective, I will continue to work. I will be better, especially in the fourth quarter, when you have to be the best.”
Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy tormented the Broncos — his former team — with career highs of nine catches and 235 yards. Star defensive end Myles Garrett had three sacks in the recent win over Pittsburgh and is 1.5 away from 100 for his career.
Steelers star T.J. Watt (9.5 sacks) will receive help from fellow linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle), who is back after missing three games. Highsmith was limited in practice on Wednesday, as was receiver Calvin Austin III (concussion).
Receivers Cedric Tillman (concussion) and Jamari Thrash (shoulder) sat out Wednesday for Cleveland. Also missing practice were offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), defensive tackle Sam Kamara (concussion) and safety Juan Thornhill (calf).
–Field Level Media
